OSWALDTWISTLE Immanuel will play Edenfield in the semi-finals of the Ribblesdale League's Ramsbottom Cup after booking their place in the last four of the competition for the first time in ten years.

Gerard Metcalfe's men held their nerve to secure a nine-run win at the second time of asking over Earby on Sunday.

The original tie had been washed out the weekend before when Immanuel were in the driving seat.

So it came as some relief for the skipper when the home side held off a late charge from Earby to set up a trip to Gincroft Lane on July 17.

"It's a big game to look forward to with a big prize at the end of it. Reaching the cup final would be a great finale to the season," said Metcalfe.

"I think we're in with a chance at Edenfield. They have a good pro but we have five genuine bowlers which helps us in the cup.

"In the mean-time it will keep everyone on their toes and encourage competition for places which should help our league form as I want us to get away from the bottom end of the table."

Immanuel looked to be cruising to their first semi-final since losing to Cherry Tree in 1995 after posting a total of 210-6.

That was built largely around a big century stand between substitute professional Ahmer Saeed, who will again be on duty this coming weekend in the league game at Read, and opener Anthony Dignan.

Saeed eventually went for 63, but Dignan batted through to finish unbeaten on 74 to see Immanuel past the 200-mark despite a flurry of middle order wickets.

Earby were then seemingly out of the game at 150-9 but a spirited half-century partnership for the last wicket left them needing 20 to win off the last over.

Kurt Smithson's first two deliveries went for a six and a four before he claimed the final wicket next ball to kill off the fight-back.

Immanuel lost their final 20-20 group match to Edenfield on Tuesday night with a below-strength side and were also beaten by the Rossendale club in the league last Saturday following a disastrous batting collapse.

Metcalfe's men will take heart from the fact that they bowled Edenfield out for just 111 as they prepare to go head-to-head again in the cup.

But from a position of needing just 12 to win from eight overs with seven wickets left they contrived to snatch defeat by losing those wickets for the addition of just six more runs.

Baxenden missed out on joining Immanuel in the semi-finals when they let a winning position slip from their grasp against Barnoldswick on Sunday to lose to the Victory Park side for the second time in two days.

With Francois Herbst hitting 63, Callum Waddington 35 and Mark Rishton 26 at the top end of the order Baxenden might have hoped for more that the 184 they posted.

But even that looked enough as Barnoldswick lost early wickets. Substitute professional Tushar Arothe struck twice in conceding just 11 runs from his 10 overs but Baxenden could not then part the decisive seventh-wicket stand between John Hall (39no) and Mike Scothern (32no) as they led their side home with almost five overs to spare.

The day before Baxenden came up just five runs short of a run-rate victory, despite 42 from Rishton and a half-century from Simon Payne, as they chased a reduced target in 42 overs against the title challengers.

Dave Usher's men entertain Blackburn Northern on Saturday.

Meanwhile Great Harwood could take a major step to their first Ribblesdale League championship in 105 years if they beat title rivals Settle at Cliffe Park on Saturday.

Russell Whalley's men are looking to complete the double over the North Yorkshire side, who are currently 10 points behind Harwood in joint second spot.

"It's a big one and if we could take five points off them that would give us a comfortable lead at the half-way stage," said Whalley.

"It won't be an easy game because they will still be confident they can win the league and they have a decent side.

"But we are playing well and all we can do is carry on winning. Even if we beat them it won't be over, but it will take a bit of pressure off."

Harwood maintained their grip on top spot with a five-wicket win over Blackburn Northern last weekend. Whalley again led from the front with an unbeaten 72 made from just 57 balls with nine fours and two sixes to go past 500 league runs for the season.

Opener Matthew Howarth also made a half-century with eight fours and a six as the leaders reached their target of 180 with more than 12 overs to spare.